Comparison of rectal thermometry with the alternative undertail, axillary, and inguinal temperature measurements in sheep

This study was conducted to ascertain the suitability of alternative locations for temperature measurement, with reference to rectal thermometry in sheep, using a digital thermometer (DT). The study employed a single-factor multilevel design, considering anatomical location (site) as the main factor. This anatomical location factor had four conditions, including rectal (rectalDTt), undertail (undertailDTt), inguinal (inguinalDTt), and axillary (axillaryDTt) locations. A total of 16 sheep were recruited for the study, and each treatment had eight replicates. The data obtained were descriptively analyzed using means and standard deviations, while inferential statistics included analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson’s correlation, Tukey’s test, t-test, and Bland-Altman plot. The mean inguinalDTt was the highest (39.51 ± 0.31℃), while the lowest was the mean undertailDTt (38.97±0.45). The effect of anatomical location on temperature readings was statistically significant. The difference between mean rectalDTt and inguinalDTt, or axillaryDTt was not significant. The rectalDTt measurements were significantly correlated with those of each treatment. Equivalence analysis revealed a non-significant bias between the rectalDTt and inguinalDTt pair. The Bland-Altman plot showed a good level of correlation and considerable agreement between rectalDTt and inguinalDTt measurements. In conclusion, temperature measurement at the inguinal location results in readings that are similar to those of rectal thermometry and thus may be of clinical importance in the future, particularly with digital thermometer application in sheep.